Confessions of a Grandma

 The phone rings. I don't recognize the number and assume it is just another robocall. But later I see that there is message so I listen."This is Diane's daughter. Can you give me a call back." This is immediate cause for worry. Oh, no. Diane must be sick. maybe even in the hospital? I call back with trepidation. But . . . Never would I have thought it could be that my friend had died unexpectedly. My friend who was so full of life, so active, so very vital, strong, and health conscious. My heart aches in the realization that she is not in this world now. Perhaps it is that she is in a better world and with the love of her life, but I still will miss her terribly. Diane

 I saw my PCP for a routine med check and she ordered some routine blood tests and a urine analysis since she only sees me once a year if I can help it. I like my doctor, I just prefer not to get sick! I've written before -- quite some time ago -- about my donating blood experience. I understand the importance, but frankly, I'm using my blood and I'm not inclined to share it. I can remember exactly one time in my life when the needle went into a vein and blood came out on the the first try. Mostly, I completely demoralize the first phlebotomist who ends up calling for back up. Last Monday the phlebotomist tried my right arm and raised a bruise but no blood. She tried my left arm to no avail and then called for help. Third time was the charm, which is the typical scenario. I don't look at the needle, but it really doesn't hurt that much. The all time record was thirteen pokes -- two women poking into both arms. I was having surgery for a deviated septum. I was told n...

 Last Sunday, we signed up for an indoor flea market because Don finally realized that he probably had way too many pairs of jeans and Carhart workpants, most of them in sizes that no longer fit. He also had a pile of Harley tee shirts that no longer fit him. We rented a table at the fairgrounds ($30) but we got a second table for free because someone didn't show up.  They say if you want the good stuff you have to get there early. One guy came and immediately bought all the H-D tee shirts. Poof, gone! Another young man came and asked if he would get a deal if he bought a lot. He checked all the tags so he was obviouslfy looking for something specific, but he ended up hauling away about a third of the pile! The rest of the day went slower.  People who bought one or two pair remarked about getting a "good deal" and dicker at all. We had a range of waist sizes, but all long legged. Don is tall. We got our rental money back and made $500, so not a day totally wasted. This we...

 There are four of us who like to get together for field trips. One of these times I am going to have to arrange a photo of us all together because women friends are one of life's greatest blessings for me. Recently, we visited Calais, VT, a very rural mountain top tiny town where we visited an art museum and an historic church to listen to Words Out Loud ; Where Text Meets Sound. We had a leisurely tour of the museum -- visit the website HERE . Afterwards we went down the road a piece to the Old West Church, which you can read a little about HERE . We heard Jericho Parms read from her book of essays, Lost Wax.   And we heard guitarist and songwriter perform with the female vocalist in his band. Added to being in the company of three women I love -- a perfect fall day spent. I think tis is kind of a neat idea. There is a club that encourages members to visit each of the 251 towns in Vermont.

 My grandson Dane and I went for a pleasant walk in the woods.  It was a beautiful day for it. This park in Rutland, VT, has greatly expanded since I lived there -- 30 years ago! This guy welcomes walkers and bikers.  I choose walking. But there are plenty of mountain bike trails too. Perfect day for forest bathing. Hard to believe this baby boy is now a high school sophomore. He does well in school, plays on the JV football team, and is student rep on the school board. But he is still willing to hang out with his grannie. Less willing to have his picture taken so I sneak them!

 I went to my daughter's yesterday. The fall leaves were putting on a brilliant show.  Although heading in a southerly direction, there was still a lot of green along the road. But individual trees stood out. Inevititably, the leaves will fall. I stopped along the way at an old apple orchard where we went in the fall when I was a kid. I just bought a bag to take  -- and some homemade apple cider donuts. BTW, the donuts did make it the 50 additional miles to my daughter's house even though they were still warm when I picked them up. And why is it that apples in the orchard taste so much better than apples in the store? On the way home that evening, I made a turn to the east just as the moon had risen -- so big and bright that my headlights automatically dimmed! Just gorgeous to see.

 We are still planning on going to Florida. The plan was to sell the condo and head down, then look for a house there. Some aspects of that may have changed. I will just roll with it. Before the hurricane news I volunteered some time at the Burlington Book Festival -- working at the used book sale to benefit a local library and the writers' workshops. Because we are packing things up, I resisted the urge to buy books for myself. More importantly, I did not tell Don exactly what I was doing. He runs a one man book rescue. Doesn't matter if he will read them or not, doesn't matter if we have a place to put them, doesn't even matter so much about condition. If it's an old book even better. No books will go in the trash on his watch. ANd then there was the bargain aspect. Honestly, don't judge. He would have loaded up his pick up truck. Yesterday I sent him to an antique furniture sales and restoration place to get some wood restoring paste. Unfortunately that secti...

 Hurricane Ian hit Venice and and grabbed some roofs. My neighborhood of mobile homes (we are supposed to call them manufactured homes per the owners' association, but they are really not) sustained a lot of damage.  This would be my view out the front window the day after. The picture was taken by the woman who checks on my place in my absence. I am still safely in VT. Apparently a rain gutter or two were dislodged from my home, but the big stuff managed to remain intact. I am grateful. And no one can convince me that I don't have angels looking out for me!